The newly formed ethanol advocacy group, Growth Energy, has aggressive plans for attacking some of the major issues impacting the growth of biofuels.
During an interview at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting, Growth Energy board member Greg Krissek of ICM said they want to “especially focus on the federal work being done on mid-level and higher level blends (of ethanol) but accelerate that.”
The new organization will be “working very closely together” with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). “As the industry gets bigger, it’s an opportunity for coalitions to be built of groups of producers,” said Krissek.
Growth Energy will also be aggressively fighting back against food companies that have been blaming ethanol production for higher food prices. “The question is simple - are food prices going to fall? Or was it really a disingenuous statement that was made,” Krissek said. The organization is requesting that Congress to hold hearings with food companies to ask them the question.
Debuting in early May of this year, the South Dakota ethanol blender pump program has grown to 34 stations across the state. According to the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), 45 stations have filed applications to receive grants to install these blender pumps which give flexible fuel vehicle owners the choice of filling up with E20, E30, E40 or E85.
“Higher blends of ethanol are the ultimate goal. South Dakota consumers can now reap the benefits of higher blends by being able to access blender pumps across the state,” said Reid Jensen, president of the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council. “South Dakota was first to raise the bar and offer the next generation of fuel to consumers. This is only the starting point. Flex-fuel drivers are discovering that mid-level blends are a better option for them, offering better fuel efficiency, lower emissions and lessening our dependence on foreign oil.”
A state-wide consumer radio and print campaign began on November 5, 2008 to educate consumers about mid-level blends, blender pumps and blender pumps locations.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman are planning to release the National Biofuels Action Plan tomorrow in Washington DC.
The action plan is an interagency plan detailing the collaborative efforts to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry. The Cabinet Secretaries will announce additional news related to the biofuels industry, new biofuel technology and ethanol blending.
The announcement will be made at the USDA building on Tuesday at 11:30 eastern.
According to the American Lung Association of Iowa, September has proven to be THE month for ethanol blended fuels! The state held several successful events promoting the domestically grown fuel.
“We would like to welcome our first three blender pumps to the state of Iowa: Galva Holstein in Galva, Unity Biofuels in Olds, and Popkes in Rock Rapids,” noted Jessica Zopf of the Iowa Clean Air Choice Team. “Collectively these pumps offer E10, E15, E20, E30, and E85. A big thanks goes to the Department of Agriculture for attending and showing their support for cleaner-burning fuels! A special thanks also goes to Kum & Go for their commitment to offering renewable fuels with their 17th E85 location in Iowa.”
Following is a run down of the events the past month:
Sept. 3rd: Kum & Go Ground Breaking, Johnston, IA for E85 site
Sept. 5th: Unity Biofuels, Olds, IA pumped 600 gallons of ethanol-blended fuel
Sept. 6th: Green Fair, Urbandale, IA with Bob Brown Chevrolet
Sept. 8-9th: Biobased Industry Outlook Conference Display, Ames, IA
Sept. 10th: Kum & Go, Urbandale, IA pumped 1150 gallons of E85
Sept. 12th: Popkes, Rock Rapids, IA pumped approximately 600 gallons of ethanol-blended fuel
Sept. 15th: Farmer’s Coop, Forest City, IA pumped 1000 gallons of E85
Sept. 17th: Galva Holstein, Galva, IA pumped 1335 gallons of ethanol-blended fuel
October also looks to be a busy month in the state of Iowa.
A research service for the chemical industry say that the U.S. is poised to be the world leader in biodiesel consumption by 2012.
According to a press release posted on MarketWatch.com, SRI Consulting has published its Global 2008 Biodiesel Report, which says Americans will consume nearly one-fifth of all the world’s biodiesel by 2012… a dramatic turnaround from being a distant second to Europe just a few years ago:
A slower pace of growth is projected for the global biodiesel industry due to market uncertainties: ongoing fuels versus food debate, rising raw material costs, changing regulatory environment, a slowing global economy and the current financial crisis.
An important development over the last several years has been the shift in global biodiesel patterns. Only five years ago Europe was a dominant player, with 83% of capacity. By 2007 the European share had declined to about 46% as North America and Asia grew to 23% and 19% respectively.
The release goes on to say that the future success of the biodiesel industry will rely on political support and incentives.
Corn growers are supporting the promotion of mid-level ethanol blends to provide consumers who drive flex-fuel vehicles with more options.
“True fuel flexibility means that drivers should have more of a say,” said Steve Ruh, chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s ethanol committee. “Mid-level blends allow consumers to customize the fuel they use so they can save money, boost mileage and help reduce air pollution.”
Corn grower associations in South Dakota and Kansas have joined with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) in offering incentive programs to encourage gas stations to install blender pumps and the response is reported to be overwhelming in both states. Blender pumps adjust the mixture of fuel at the gas pump, drawing ethanol (either 100 percent denatured or E85) and unleaded gasoline from separate underground tanks and mixing them according to the driver’s selection at the pump.
EPIC is hosting an online webinar for anyone interested in learning more about the Kansas Blender Pump Program on October 1 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. central time. The webinar is free and open to the public and features information on availability of financial assistance, promotion and marketing efforts, equipment requirements and how to increase sales. For more information or to register, go to www.DrivingEthanol.org.
Approximately 200 people attended a grand opening event to dedicate Iowa’s first blender pump in Galva on September 17, 2008. In addition to receiving lunch, co‐sponsored by Galva Holstein Ag and Ida County Farm Bureau, drivers who fueled up with ethanol blends saved $.30 per gallon from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Over 1,335 gallons of ethanol was sold during the promotion.
Special guests at the celebration included Karey Claghorn (Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture), Maureen Wilson (Senator Harkin), Monte Shaw (Iowa Renewable Fuels Association), Dave Ehlers and Wayne Brinks (Congressman Steve King), Jessica Zopf (American Lung Association), Kristin Nowak (Clean Air Choice Team), Westmor Industries, CENEX, representatives from Ida County and Buena Vista County Farm Bureau, organizations and business partners, as well as many other distinguished guests.
“We are delighted to be the first company in Iowa to offer E30 and E85 to FFV drivers”, said Gary Brosamle, energy department manager at Galva Holstein Ag. “Galva Holstein Ag is an avid supporter of renewable fuels, and we encourage all Iowan’s to use ethanol-blended fuels, which are made right here in our backyards.”.
The state-of-the-art blender pump is located south of Galva at 1583 Market Avenue, near the Highway 20 interchange. Galva Holstein Ag is proud to offer E85, E30, E10 and unleaded gasoline to motorists 24 hours a day at this cardtrol facility.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association reports that grand opening celebrations will be held at four new E85 pumps across the state of Iowa in the next couple of weeks. This will bring the total of E85 fueling facilities in Iowa to over 100.
The events in the state will include some blender pumps offering E85 and midlevel blends. Below is a listing of the locations and dates of their grand openings:
Unity Biofuels – September 5th
in Olds, IA
Cenex Pump 24 – September 12th
in Forest City, IA
Popkes Car Care Center – September 12th
in Rock Rapids, IA
A new program and pump promotion will help raise awareness for higher blends of ethanol in Kansas.
The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), ICM and the Kansas Corn Commission are holding the event, which will include discount prices on ethanol blends for flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) at TJ’s Convenience Store in Colwich from 6:30 to 8:30 am on Monday. FFV owners will have a 40 cents discount on E20, 60 cents discount on E30 and E85 will be offered for just $1.85/gallon. All drivers can save 20 cents per gallon on E10 fuel, approved for use in any gas powered vehicle or engine.
Immediately after the pump promotion, EPIC and the Kansas Corn Commission will announce a major new initiative for the state. Speakers will include Robert White, deputy director of EPIC; U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback; Adrian Polansky, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture; Dave Vander Griend, president and CEO of ICM, Inc.; and Bob Timmons, chairman of the Kansas Corn Commission.
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The newly formed ethanol advocacy group, Growth Energy, has aggressive plans for attacking some of the major issues impacting the growth of biofuels.
The new organization will be “working very closely together” with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC). “As the industry gets bigger, it’s an opportunity for coalitions to be built of groups of producers,” said Krissek. 
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Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman are planning to release the National Biofuels Action Plan tomorrow in Washington DC.
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Corn grower associations in South Dakota and Kansas have joined with the 
A new program and pump promotion will help raise awareness for higher blends of ethanol in Kansas.